Cape Town, South Africa, 5 March 2025 – The AfCFTA Secretariat successfully convened the 5th AfCFTA-RECs Coordination Meeting of Senior Officials on the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Cape Town, South Africa. The meeting, held in a hybrid format, served as a platform for Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and key stakeholders to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and align strategies to advance the implementation of the AfCFTA.

Delegations engaged in discussions on the status of AfCFTA implementation, key challenges, and opportunities for enhanced cooperation. The meeting also provided a space for private sector business councils, including the African Business Council (AfBC) and regional chambers of commerce, to share insights on intra-African trade dynamics.

During the session, delegations underscored the need for harmonised trade policies, enhanced private sector engagement, and the removal of persistent non-tariff barriers to facilitate seamless trade across the continent. The meeting also addressed the adoption of the Annexes to the Protocol on Digital Trade, a milestone that positions Africa as a global leader in trade governance and digital transformation.

This engagement reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration in advancing Africa’s trade integration agenda and ensuring that the benefits of the AfCFTA are fully realised across the continent.